Secret Contacts and Public Incitement: Likud Moves to Block Arab-Aizenkot Alliance

Joint List faction chairman Ahmed Tibi revealed that a prominent minister in Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party contacted him after the Knesset oath-taking ceremony, attempting to persuade him not to cooperate with Gadi Eisenkot's "Change Bloc."

Under the headline "Secret Flirtations and Public Incitement," Israeli Channel 12 published details of Likud's attempts to reach out to Arab parties. The report stated that while Netanyahu continues his campaign to delegitimize Arab parties to prevent any cooperation or reliance on them in forming the next government, secret contacts are being made to seek their support.

Closed-Door Dialogue
Tibi said the unnamed minister told him: "Do not give them a government; they will not give you what you want. We must go to early elections." Tibi replied: "We do not want elections. We want to oust Netanyahu and Ben Gvir."

The Joint List faction chairman decided to reveal this approach specifically in response to Netanyahu's speech against Arab parties, stating: "It is time to expose the hypocrisy of Netanyahu and Likud, who incite against Arab citizens while begging us in closed rooms not to bring down their government."

The Channel 12 report confirmed that Arab parties have resolved not to conduct any dialogue with Likud, even for exploratory purposes, following Netanyahu's recent anti-Arab rhetoric.

Control of the Knesset
For the first time in four years, the Israeli Knesset convened without Likud holding a majority. The 26th Knesset has already broken several records—including women's representation, with 33 women elected as members for the first time—and minority representation, with 19 MKs from Arab parties.

The "Change Bloc" plans to replace outgoing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana with MK Matan Kahana, thereby consolidating control over the Knesset after establishing the organizing committee and distributing temporary committees. All these steps pave the way for the bloc's ultimate goal: not only controlling the legislative branch but also changing leadership in the executive branch.

According to the channel's report, while bloc leaders attempt to reach understandings among themselves and with ultra-Orthodox parties, it appears clear that Netanyahu has not raised the white flag and is actively working to sabotage any potential government led by Eisenkot.